Enugu moves to encourage doctors in rural areas

THE Enugu State government has announced its intention to give financial incentive to medical doctors who agree to work and reside in rural areas.
Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Sam Ngwu,who disclosed this to reporters at the weekend shortly after his meeting with stakeholders in the health sector, said that the incentive would encourage doctors to reside and work in rural areas, adding that it would be difficult for doctors who are not residing in rural areas to concentrate in their duties.

Ngwu, who said that the financial incentive, if implemented, would enable rural dwellers to have access to affordable healthcare, further stated that accessible healthcare system was part of the agenda of the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, adding that it was the intention of the governor to ensure that all, especially the poor, have access to healthcare.

He, however, admitted that the inability of doctors to go to the areas of their postings in the rural areas was a big limitation to healthcare delivery in areas, assuring that the issue would be addressed soon.

On the activities of partners of the state Ministry of Health, especially donor-agencies, Ngwu said although some of the agencies were winding up some of their activities, the government would continue to do its best in the sector.

He gave assurance that the state government would continue to improve the health sector.